The Chinese spy balloon seen flying over North America in February had successfully acquired US intelligence before getting shot down, two senior American officials have revealed.
The announcement came despite Washington’s efforts to prevent Beijing from obtaining crucial information, particularly about US defense and security.
According to the sources, China was able to control the balloon so it could pass over multiple military sites and transmit crucial information to its operators in real time.
There were also times when it flew in a figure-eight formation to gather enough data from the infrastructure on the ground.
Most of the intelligence China collected reportedly came from electronic signals from weapons and communications systems being used by US military personnel.
Balloon Route
The Chinese spy balloon entered US airspace over Alaska on January 28, allowing American defense personnel to track where it was going.
Four days later, the device flew over Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, where the US stores nuclear assets.
However, the government did not immediately neutralize the balloon, fearing damage or casualties on the ground as it was as big as three school buses.
The balloon, which Beijing described as an unmanned civilian airship that accidentally strayed off course, was shot down by US fighter jets off the coast of South Carolina.
“US military commanders had determined downing the balloon while over land posed an undue risk to people across a wide area due to the size and altitude of the balloon and its surveillance payload,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in February.
Worst Case
The two senior US officials explained that the spy balloon could have obtained more intelligence if the government did not interfere with its ability to pick up electronic signals.
A defense department spokesperson also revealed that the intelligence Beijing collected had “limited additive value” for the Asian military superpower.
“Knowing it was going to enter US airspace, we took action to limit the ability of this balloon to garner anything of additive or especially useful content,” National Security Council spokesperson Kirby John said.
